Time with family at Lutheran camp is gift

Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy. (Psalms 98:7-8)

by Liz Burgess

In this crazy busy world, have you found time to spend apart from your everyday life? Sometimes it’s not possible to get away from family obligations, but time spent in nature causes me to praise the beauty of creation and then prods me to praise the creator. I try never to take for granted the precious time I spend with family, especially my grandchildren.

Joy, joy, joy! I’m the nana to four grandkids, ages 4 months to 11 years, and I finally got to go to camp along with my sister, the great-aunt, three of the grandkids and their parents. Growing up I didn’t have the opportunity to attend any summer camp, but it’s never too late to have that happy childhood experience.

Fortunately, my daughter and her husband served as the chaplains at family camp for the July 4th week at Camp Calumet Lutheran in Freedom, N.H., in New England. I got to tag along to help care for and snuggle with the little ones and, most of all, enjoy the week in the beauty of God’s creation.

God’s love is evident

God’s love is evident everywhere at Calumet. People are friendly as you walk from one activity to another. The family beach is a hangout for young and old. My 3 ½-year-old granddaughter was content to play in the sand or splash in the warm water of Ossipee Lake as she danced around me.

Lots of folks who attend family camp are Lutheran women. You know it’s a small Lutheran world out there. These same women are active in my New England Women of the ELCA Synodical organization.

It’s great to spend time away with friendly loving people in a safe, beautiful place. Camp Calumet family camp is a welcoming place for singles, retirees, and all manner of families. The week has activities for children while adults can study together with the family camp chaplain. Everything is structured but laid back.

Don’t despair if you are not close to New England as there are great Lutheran family camps in other parts of the United States. A simple Google search will help you find them. Time for you to get away with God in creation.

Elizabeth Burgess of Augusta, Maine, serves on the Women of the ELCA executive board. She is active at Emmanuel Lutheran Episcopal Church, soon to be officially received as a federated Lutheran and Episcopal congregation in New England. The photos by Liz are of her grandchildren.